Former Patriots player Dennis Wirgowski passes away

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots are saddened to learn of the loss of Dennis Wirgowski, who played defensive end for the Patriots from 1970-72. He was 66-years old and passed away on Saturday, Jan. 25, at his home in Michigan.

Born Sept. 20, 1947, in Bay City, Mich., Wirgowski was a high school All-American and played college football at Purdue University before being drafted in the ninth round by the Boston Patriots in 1970. He played in 37 games with 36 starts in his three seasons with the Patriots and appeared in 13 games with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973. Following his playing career, Wirgowski returned to his hometown where he worked for 28 years at Stevens Worldwide Van Lines.